Katherine Filice

“This mix of graphite and ink line-making, of old and new joining together was incredibly restorative for me to create. It’s soft, and quiet. It is created very peacefully in my studio with Beethoven playing in the background. A homage to the history of many of the pieces. 

And then: the quietness takes on a tension as I risk the graphite drawing with the ink lines—letting go, knowing there is a power greater than myself at hand. Mixing the soft, ephemeral graphite with the precision of a technical Rapidograph pen. 

Some of these drawings are based on Bargue (1826-1883) lesson plates and some of modern day references.”

United States

Gilroy

Gallery 1202

Drawing

Unveiling III

"Spirit Warrior," is a contemporary work on paper by award winning artist Katherine Filice.  This work is professionally framed and ready to ship. 

“In my most well-known style I began 2020 wrapping up my both the “The Place in Between” and “The Ties that Bind” series with the final few pieces. After working on these series for several years, it was finally time to move forward. 

Much of that letting go was about watching the cataclysm of 2020, but too, having time to catch my breath and think about where I was and where I wanted to be—to find opportunities to develop my artistic voice in fresh and new ways. 

I am featuring a selection from the remaining works. My most current piece, “Spirit Warrior” was created late in 2020 as a reminder to myself that no matter what is put in front of me, I remain strong, empowered and loved.” - Katherine Filice

Spirit Warrior

The fourth work in the series "The Unveiling", Katherine Filice's 'Unveiling IV' is a continuation of the artists' sensibility in the production of classical form. However, while the other works in the series describe a combination of academic traditional subject matter - with of course the inclusion of the artists' signature hatching/line quality, this work goes a step further, and sits itself deeper into the visual language of the surrealists. As the figure, resting incomplete in the fashion of classical sculpture, transforms into a chess pieces as the signature hatching as seen in other works in this series, mold the form one state of being into the next.

From the artist:

“This mix of graphite and ink line-making, of old and new joining together was incredibly restorative for me to create. It’s soft, and quiet. It is created very peacefully in my studio with Beethoven playing in the background. A homage to the history of many of the pieces. 

And then: the quietness takes on a tension as I risk the graphite drawing with the ink lines—letting go, knowing there is a power greater than myself at hand. Mixing the soft, ephemeral graphite with the precision of a technical Rapidograph pen. 

Some of these drawings are based on baroque (1826-1883) lesson plates and some of modern day references.”

27"x21.75" (Framed)

Unveiling IV

In the first of "The Unveiling" series of works, Katherine Filice's signature hatching decorates part of a baroque-style form drawing, with the subject matter being reminiscent of classical marble sculpture. As the form itself is left incomplete, the compositional choices mimetically reflect this in the omission of certain details - such as the base being left in negative space. It's in this contrast between intentionally hatched space within the figure, areas of intentional negative space, and the shading of the areas in shadow, that this odd - yet successful - trinity implies a sense of still completeness. 

From the artist:

“This mix of graphite and ink line-making, of old and new joining together was incredibly restorative for me to create. It’s soft, and quiet. It is created very peacefully in my studio with Beethoven playing in the background. A homage to the history of many of the pieces. 

And then: the quietness takes on a tension as I risk the graphite drawing with the ink lines—letting go, knowing there is a power greater than myself at hand. Mixing the soft, ephemeral graphite with the precision of a technical Rapidograph pen. 

Some of these drawings are based on baroque (1826-1883) lesson plates and some of modern day references.”

27"x21.75" (Framed)

Unveiling I

'Alchemy I' is a figurative contemporary drawing on paper, produced by artist Katherine Filice. 

A realistic rending of a human face, is visually both suspended and supported by a combination of vertical and horizontal lines. In the sectioned off areas of the outer features, line weight and patter articulate the spacial details of the positive space of the composition.

“This mix of graphite and ink line-making, of old and new joining together was incredibly restorative for me to create. It’s soft, and quiet. It is created very peacefully in my studio with Beethoven playing in the background. A homage to the history of many of the pieces. 

And then: the quietness takes on a tension as I risk the graphite drawing with the ink lines—letting go, knowing there is a power greater than myself at hand. Mixing the soft, ephemeral graphite with the precision of a technical Rapidograph pen. 

Some of these drawings are based on Bargue (1826-1883) lesson plates and some of modern day references.”

Alchemy

Based on baroque (1826-1883) lesson plates and some of modern day references, the works of 'The Unveiling' series by Katherine Filice, combine the artists' signature style of line and academic reference. A right arm reaches out, in a pose reminiscent of traditional points of reference from earlier period, with a subtle node to the maker's specific sensibility in terms of line quality. 

Unveiling V

'Alchemy II' is a figurative contemporary drawing on paper, produced by artist Katherine Filice. Drawing from other works from the series, a figure is held in an elongated pose, as it remains suspended in the center composition. Delicately maintained by supporting  lines, the main figure is decorated in the line quality and hatching that remains signature in all of Filice's works. Line weight and patterned areas articulate the spacial details of the positive space of the composition.

From the artist:

“This mix of graphite and ink line-making, of old and new joining together was incredibly restorative for me to create. It’s soft, and quiet. It is created very peacefully in my studio with Beethoven playing in the background. A homage to the history of many of the pieces. 

And then: the quietness takes on a tension as I risk the graphite drawing with the ink lines—letting go, knowing there is a power greater than myself at hand. Mixing the soft, ephemeral graphite with the precision of a technical Rapidograph pen. "  - Katherine Filice

Alchemy II

Fibers of white chalk, ascend to support a partial field of heavy ink. Creating a push and pull effect, the fore and middle ground balance between being and non-being as a subtle tint of blue loops through the medium itself. 

From the artist: 

“I have been told recently that while my representational work describes what I think and how I feel, this work shares who I am. 

The outcome is raw and exposed, full of risk and discomfort, not only in the tactile surfaces being drawn on, but also the inability to fully control the line, the outcome. The inability to control the narrative. 

A beautiful spiritual free fall. 

In hindsight I know this work will become a profound departure, a door. The moments are recorded by my hand, the lines of ink, of chalk, of graphite, of age, of destiny; each mark is a prayer as powerful as the sage that burns in the background while I make these pieces of art.”

31.5"x 25"x .75" (Framed)

Mixed Media

Fragments of Memory III

Unveiling II

“I have been told recently that while my representational work describes what I think and how I feel, this work shares who I am. 

The outcome is raw and exposed, full of risk and discomfort, not only in the tactile surfaces being drawn on, but also the inability to fully control the line, the outcome. The inability to control the narrative. 

A beautiful spiritual free fall. 

In hindsight I know this work will become a profound departure, a door. The moments are recorded by my hand, the lines of ink, of chalk, of graphite, of age, of destiny; each mark is a prayer as powerful as the sage that burns in the background while I make these pieces of art.”

Unframed (30"x 22")
Framed (37"x 29")

A Memory of the Breeze

'Burning Sage in Hopeful Prayer', is a contemporary field drawing by Katherine Filice. The piece itself, reminds one of the remaining material and resulting texture of freshly-burnt sage. The work, being covered in a deep black medium of ink and graphite, celebrates the cleansing nature of the burning away of some of those fouler things - leaving surrounding thoughts of a more hopeful future.  

Burning Sage in Hopeful Prayer

Composed of intertwined white lines, randomized gestural movement decorate the field of black ink and chalk wash. Fibers of white chalk project through a full field of black ink, Creating a push and pull effect, as the fore and middle ground balance between found and implied shapes.

From the artist:

“I have been told recently that while my representational work describes what I think and how I feel, this work shares who I am. 

The outcome is raw and exposed, full of risk and discomfort, not only in the tactile surfaces being drawn on, but also the inability to fully control the line, the outcome. The inability to control the narrative. 

A beautiful spiritual free fall. 

In hindsight I know this work will become a profound departure, a door. The moments are recorded by my hand, the lines of ink, of chalk, of graphite, of age, of destiny; each mark is a prayer as powerful as the sage that burns in the background while I make these pieces of art.”

60"x43"x2.25" (Framed)

Fragments of Memory IV

The key feature to note with the piece 'The Breeze Through the Curtains', is the ability of the marker to capture an equally chaotic and serene sense of movement. 

The piece itself is decorated with the horizontal hatching and specific line quality, that has become apparent in the works of Katherine Filice. The horizontal lines, creating a sense of balance and repetition, decorated with subtle strokes of green balancing within the midd-ground. However, expanding on the signature hatching technique, the artist introduces a satisfying cross-hatching technique specifically being scratched in. In doing so, not only does Filice command the visual experience, but the literal textual experience for the viewer as well.

From the artist:

“I have been told recently that while my representational work describes what I think and how I feel, this work shares who I am. 

The outcome is raw and exposed, full of risk and discomfort, not only in the tactile surfaces being drawn on, but also the inability to fully control the line, the outcome. The inability to control the narrative. 

A beautiful spiritual free fall. 

In hindsight I know this work will become a profound departure, a door. The moments are recorded by my hand, the lines of ink, of chalk, of graphite, of age, of destiny; each mark is a prayer as powerful as the sage that burns in the background while I make these pieces of art.”

47"x 33.75"x .75" (Framed)

The Breeze Through the Curtains

'Dreamscape IV,' by Katherine Filice is part of a series of works where Filice explores abstraction through ink, charcoal and Fabriano paper.  The artist submerges the Italian paper in ink, and then dries it and reconstitutes the paper in Sculptural form that she implements her meditative line making on the dried paper. She then mounts the paper on a light background highlighting the relief. Filice applies her award-winning drawing method to this new evolution of her practice.

34.25" x 26" x1.25" (Framed) 

Dreamscape IV

Garden Party VI

Gallery 1202 continues its online series of artist lead exhibitions Voices, with a presentation of work by award winning artist, Katherine Filice. This exhibition will bring together her works from 2020, in a stunning example of growth in the face of opposition. Filice has conquered the challenges of 2020 by embracing change, and forcing herself outside of her artistic comfort bubble. She pushes her creative boundaries to the brink, while still remaining true to her devotion to the line. She has explored completely disparate ways to use line, and brought them together beautifully in works like Unveiling II.  



"I am incredibly happy to present The Line Between You and Me, a body of work solely created in 2020. I started the year creating in my typical style, but as the world spun apart, I found myself with a desire to find a new door, a new way. A place to put the hurt that was racing across my screens. A way to process it. This led to exploring and developing (in unison) two fresh approaches to my work. They truly happened simultaneously, with a journey backwards and forwards—featuring both very old-world works highlighted with Bargue (1826-1883) lesson plates along with modern abstracted works. 

 

Some of this was incredibly difficult. There were technical challenges with mixing styles and materials, and there were emotional challenges with sharing my voice in new ways. And there were physical challenges as I went through a major back surgery and recovery.

 

Looking at the sum of what I have created, I am simply incredibly proud, especially around tackling abstract, in my own way, with lines. 

 

Between you and me, it’s all about  the lines - how we are separated by them,  joined by them, as family, as a community, as a human race. And also, how the lines divide us in such brutal and disheartening ways." - Katherine Filice